Latest news with #SeanConnery
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Donald Trump opens new golf course at Aberdeenshire resort
The US president teed off at the New Course in Menie in front of a crowd including golfers, the Scottish First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader. Trump also made reference to late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort – even attempting to recreate the actor's voice. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. 'The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. 'But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.' Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world.' At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president thanked his son Eric for his role in creating the new 18-hole course, adding: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. (First Minister) John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Members of the media watched the opening ceremony from a grandstand, with music played beforehand including Roxanne, Thriller, and Surfin' USA, plus music by the Script and Elvis. The president has already played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
How to stay and play at Donald Trump's brand new golf course in Scotland?
The 36-hole Trump International Golf Links resort in Aberdeenshire will open to the public next month. Donald Trump officially opened his new golf course in Aberdeenshire yesterday, Tuesday, July 2. The controversial US President paid tribute to the late Scottish actor Sean Connery and recalled the long-running planning disputes that once delayed the development. Speaking to guests on the first tee at Trump International Golf Links, the former US President praised Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, calling him a 'terrific guy' following a dinner the night before. Reflecting on the history of the site, Trump said: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. The area has really welcomed us. "But you'll remember at the beginning it wasn't quite a welcome... but it wasn't bad. But with time they've liked us more and more.' Trump also credited Connery with helping push the controversial project forward. He said: 'The land, they said, couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. "And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. Once he said that, everything came into line.' Now open for visitors, the luxury golf destination outside Aberdeen is accepting bookings for both accommodation and tee times. Where to stay Guests can stay at Trump MacLeod House & Lodge Hotel, located on the former Menie Estate near Balmedie. The five-star property is described as a traditional Scottish baronial mansion, set across 1,400 acres of coastal land. It features 19 luxury guest rooms, Italian marble staircases, traditional fireplaces, intimate dining and bar areas, a whisky bar, outdoor hot tub, spa facilities and hidden staircases. Personal butler service is available. The hotel is open for exclusive hire, weddings, corporate events or individual bookings. Prices for a house or lodge room in the week beginning Sunday, August 18, start from £628, depending on length of stay and availability. How to book tee times Golfers can book tee times on the property's two courses starting August 13. Prices are set at £495 per person per round. A 'Greatest 36' option, combining both courses, is available until October 31. Tee times are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis during the opening months, and multiple levels of club membership are offered, though prices have not been disclosed. Golf packages and pricing For those looking to combine luxury stays with golf, a number of packages are now on offer. A two-night package, which includes two rounds of golf (one on each course), a welcome dinner, breakfast, and a dram of whisky, is priced at £2,500 per person or £4,000 for two people sharing. This offer is valid between August 25 and October 31, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A shorter one-night version, including one round of golf on the original course, an overnight stay and a three-course dinner at The Dunes Restaurant & Bar, costs £1,070 for a single occupancy room or £782.50 per person for a double occupancy room. There is also a golf-and-stay-only option, which includes a one-night stay and a round of golf for £985 (single occupancy) or £697.50 per person (double occupancy). In the off-season months of November and December, the price drops to £460 per person, per night. For a more relaxing experience, a 'Winter Getaway for Two' is also available at £495, including dinner at Trump's Restaurant & Cellar, overnight accommodation, breakfast, and wellness treatments at the on-site spa.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bond star Sir Sean drove through my golf course plans, claims Donald Trump
Sir Sean Connery helped secure consent for Donald Trump 's first golf course in Aberdeenshire, Donald Trump has claimed. The US president attributed the approval of the course at the Menie estate to an intervention from the late James Bond actor. During his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, Mr Trump said: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility, and Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' He added: 'Sean Connery helped get me the permits. If it wasn't for Sean Connery we wouldn't have those great courses.' In 2008 Sir Sean is reported to have spoken about the golf project, saying: 'During tough economic times, this is a major vote of confidence in Scotland's tourist industry and our ability to rise to the challenge. 'I look forward to seeing a new gem in the north-east that is good for Aberdeenshire and good for Scotland.' Asked about the comment, Mr Swinney said two committees of Aberdeenshire Council had come to different decisions about the application, causing a 'paralysis' about the situation. He said: 'I took a decision to call in the application to determine it, I asked the most experienced Reporter in Scotland at the time, Jim McCulloch, to lead the public local inquiry into the application, which he did with the professionalism Jim McCulloch would bring to everything and determined in favour. That's the due process.' Pressed on whether Sir Sean had no involvement, he said: 'Well, that's an explanation of the due process.' In 2020, Trump described Sir Sean as a 'great actor and an even greater man,' adding that the Scot was 'so highly regarded' it had helped him get the go-ahead for the Menie development. In 2007, plans to build the golf resort were thrown into disarray when Aberdeenshire Council refused to grant planning permission for the project. However, Mr Swinney, then the finance secretary later 'called in' the decision. Shortly after, former First Minister Alex Salmond met senior Trump aides who were then invited to meet with Scotland's chief planner. That sparked claims Mr Salmond - who was also the area's constituency MSP - had tried improperly to influence the planning process, prompting Holyrood's local government committee to launch a probe. Although cleared of any serious wrongdoing, Mr Salmond's actions were branded 'cavalier' in a report by MSPs that said he had shown poor judgment in meeting Mr Trump's aides. The development was approved in November 2008, on the basis that it would have 'significant economic and social benefit'. Martin Ford, the Aberdeenshire councillor who was chair of the planning committee that initially refused Trump's application to build the resort, later tried to shoot down those claims. He had told the Guardian: 'Mr Connery was not involved in the due process that led to the granting of planning permission for a golf resort at Menie. 'He did not submit a letter of representation to the council, appear at the planning hearing, or at the public local inquiry.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Donald Trump opens new golf course at Aberdeenshire resort
The US president teed off at the New Course in Menie in front of a crowd including golfers, the Scottish First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader. Trump also made reference to late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort – even attempting to recreate the actor's voice. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. 'The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. 'But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.' Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world.' At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president thanked his son Eric for his role in creating the new 18-hole course, adding: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. (First Minister) John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Members of the media watched the opening ceremony from a grandstand, with music played beforehand including Roxanne, Thriller, and Surfin' USA, plus music by the Script and Elvis. The president has already played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Trump debuts Sean Connery impression while sharing tales of Scottish ancestry on ‘Pod Force One'
President Trump broke out his best Scottish brogue while discussing his ancestry and the unveiling of a brand new golf course bearing his family's name during the latest episode of 'Pod Force One,' out now. The president cut the ribbon for the Trump International Golf Links course in Aberdeen Tuesday, two days after telling Post columnist Miranda Devine about his prolonged fight for zoning approvals that eventually forced him to enlist the help of the late James Bond star Sean Connery. 'I didn't know him well; I met him one time, but he liked me. I liked him, and he's a tough kind of a guy, as you probably know,' Trump said of Connery, who died in 2020 at the age of 90. Advertisement Every week, Post columnist Miranda Devine sits down for exclusive and candid conversations with the most influential disruptors in Washington. Subscribe here! 'It was very tough zoning, environmentally here to get that approved. And when they approved it, they approved two courses, but I had to start the second one within 10 years from the first. So, if I didn't start it, let's say two years ago, we would have lost that right, you'd never get it back,' he went on. 'But Sean Connery, it was very hard getting the zoning because of the environment, and it was very highly protected … and he let out a howl once. He said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his damn golf courses and let him put money into our country. What's wrong with you?'' Trump added, deploying his best imitation of 'The Untouchables' actor. Advertisement 'And soon as he said that, the whole thing got approved like so fast. It was crazy,' the president went on. 'I called him. I said, 'Thank you very much.' I said, 'You have great power.' I call him the King of Scotland. So I got to know him a little bit after that. He was great. He was a tough cookie.' Trump kvetched elsewhere in the podcast about repeatedly running into regulatory issues over environmental concerns — having been confronted with 'ugly windmills' visible on the horizon from his Turnberry course. 5 President Trump debuted his best Scottish brogue while discussing his ancestry and the unveiling of a brand new golf course bearing his family's name during the latest episode of 'Pod Force One,' out Tuesday Pod Force One / NY Post 5 'But Sean Connery … he let out a howl once. He said, 'Let the bloody bloke build his damn golf courses and let him put money into our country. What's wrong with you?'' Trump added in his best impression of the Scottish actor. Advertisement Trump's loathing of windmills dates back nearly 20 years, when in 2006, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group built 11 wind turbines off the shore of the under-construction Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen course. 'With the reckless installation of these monsters, you will single-handedly have done more damage to Scotland than virtually any event in Scottish history,' he fumed in a missive to Scotland's then-First Minister Alex Salmond. 5 Trump kvetched during the two-day trip about how, since he'd begun developing on the island, he'd run into regulatory issues over environmental concerns — and been confronted with 'ugly windmills' dotting the horizon. AP Trump unsuccessfully tried to stop the construction of the turbines, saying the unsightly windmills ruined the views from the resort, with a court finally ruling against him in 2019. Advertisement 'A lot of people use the environment to stop projects,' he told Devine, 'and I didn't want that to happen.' Elsewhere in the interview, the 47th president shared the story of how his mother, born on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, met his father in New York City. 5 Elsewhere in the interview, the 47th president shared the story of how his mother, a Scottish immigrant, met his father in New York City. Getty Images 'She was a young girl of about 18 years old, and she came to New York and she hadn't seen the world, and she met my father, and he was a successful guy, he was a young guy, but he was a successful guy, doing well. He was building houses,' Trump recalled. 'She was a beautiful woman. And he came home that night, he said, 'I've just,' — to my grandmother, who was a fantastic person, my father's mother — he said, 'Well, I just met my wife,'' he said of his then-32-year-old dad. 'My mother was born in Scotland; she loved Scotland. She was a big fan of the Queen [Elizabeth II], I have to tell you. Anytime the Queen was on television, my mother liked watching. She'd say, 'Oh, the Queen's on,'' he went on. 5 ''Braveheart,' one of the great movies of all time. But England had a hard time with Scotland. They couldn't quite tame them,' he said. Daniel Torok / The White House Advertisement While the president's affinity for Scottish fare didn't extend to the isle's famed 'black pudding,' Trump did let slip that one of his favorites was 'Braveheart,' Mel Gibson's 1995 epic about the medieval Scottish warrior William Wallace. ''Braveheart,' one of the great movies of all time,' the president said. 'But England had a hard time with Scotland. They couldn't quite tame them.'
